Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Honourable senators, tomorrow, February 22, we will mark National Human Trafficking Awareness Day for the second time in Canada. This day was established last year thanks to the efforts of the All Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, of which I am a member. The aim is to educate the general public about this often misunderstood scourge.

It is often thought that trafficking only occurs outside our borders, never here in Canada. That is not true. In Canada, 95% of human trafficking convictions involve Canadians. Nearly all the victims are women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation.

Sex trafficking often occurs right before our very eyes, without us realizing it. A girl or woman is lured by someone she knows or considers to be her lover. Indigenous and racialized women are overrepresented. It starts with gifts, outings or a seduction operation during which the trafficker exploits the vulnerabilities of his prey before desensitizing her by raping her to achieve his goal: forcing her into prostitution.

How can the victim’s parents or close friends detect the troubling signs of this trap? The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking provides a few potential signs to look out for. We could see such signs, for example, in the case of a girl or young woman whose behaviour has changed suddenly, who seems controlled by her partner, who isolates herself, who suddenly wears clothing that is not age appropriate, who receives expensive, unexplained gifts or who has several cellphones.

The pandemic has heightened the risk of human trafficking of girls and women on the Internet, whether through the recording of intimate images without consent or the posting of illegal images of minors online.

Canada is also a destination for people trafficked from abroad. They are lured by false or real job offers, often for seasonal work, or a contract to work as a server or child care provider. Unfortunately, the job that is promised sometimes becomes a form of modern slavery with excessive hours, threats, or the confiscation of the person’s passport.

Throughout the world, an estimated 25 million adults and children are victims of forced labour, often accompanied by trafficking. There too we can be vigilant as consumers, because these shameful human rights violations are used to produce goods and food at the lowest price possible. The labelling provides a certain number of indications that can alert us, but it is far from enough.

Beyond the legislation and policies, each of us can contribute in our own way to fighting human trafficking. When we confront these tragedies we cannot look away. On the contrary, we must open our eyes.

Hon. Dennis Dawson: Honourable senators, it is with great emotion and true gratitude that I stand before you today to pay tribute to a remarkable individual who passed away on January 23. On my behalf and on behalf of all senators, I would like to honour the memory of Guy Saint-Pierre, an exceptional Quebecer and Canadian, for his invaluable contribution to our communities, his homeland, Quebec, and his country, Canada, over the course of a full and accomplished life.

For many of us, Guy Saint-Pierre was a role model because of his values, professional achievements and commitment to the progress of the French-Canadian and Quebec nation. For many of us, he had great influence on our life choices and careers.

Personally, he was influential in encouraging me to become a candidate in the first school board elections almost 50 years ago and to become the chair of a school board. He was a pioneer in the field of education. He strongly believed his entire life that it was education first and foremost that would make it possible for French-speaking Quebecers to make their mark, achieve their potential and aspire to fully take their place in the North American environment. Because of the value that he placed on education, in 1970 he was appointed Minister of Education by Premier Robert Bourassa.

[English]

An engineer by profession, Guy Saint-Pierre was responsible for the hydroelectric development of Churchill Falls in 1967. He was also responsible for the creation of the James Bay Native Development Corporation, whose goal was developing hydroelectric power in northern Quebec. In 1991, he was behind the merger of the SNC and Lavalin engineering groups to form SNC-Lavalin, one of the largest engineering firms in the world.

In 1994, Guy was named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year. The following year, he was elected as president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. From 2001 to 2004, Guy served as chairman of the Royal Bank, the first francophone to hold this position. He also sat on numerous boards.

[Translation]

Several academic institutions, such as Concordia University, Laval University and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, recognized his career by awarding him honorary doctorates. Also, in 2009, he became Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec, after having been appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, in 2002. Mr. Saint-Pierre was a great Canadian and a great Quebecer.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to his wife, his family and his loved ones. We will always remember him. Thank you, esteemed colleagues.

Hon. senators: Hear, hear!

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the copy of the Canada Gazette, Part II, volume 156, Extra No. 1, dated February 15, 2022, including a proclamation declaring a public order emergency and two sets of regulations pursuant to the Emergencies Act.

[English]

Hon. Nancy J. Hartling: Honourable senators, February is Black History Month in Canada and is celebrated by recognizing the achievements of Black Canadians and their communities, who throughout history have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation.

Today, I want to pay tribute to an outstanding Black New Brunswicker, Ralph “Tiger” Thomas. From Saint John, New Brunswick, Ralph is a truly remarkable person. He’s a husband, father, grandfather, community activist and educator. His enthusiasm, passion and contributions to Black history have made life richer for many not only here in New Brunswick, but in Canada. He spent his early life in Willow Grove near Saint John attending a one-room school, later attending school in Saint John. He explored what influenced him growing up and shared how several coaches encouraged him in sport. This helped him to find focus in his life. It taught him to cope and go beyond his comfort zone.

He became a professional boxer and was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He has been referred to as the godfather of amateur boxing in New Brunswick. He started the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club and co-created the New Brunswick Amateur Boxing Association in Saint John. He spent 33 years promoting and developing this sport in our province. Thomas believed it was a kids’ club, a place youth could go to keep them out of trouble by finding an outlet in boxing.

Sports was not his only accomplishment. One of his major contributions was in developing and coordinating the first Black History Society in New Brunswick, along with being a long-time member of PRUDE — which stands for pride of race, unity and dignity through education — and creating awareness around racism and inequality in our province. Currently, he is the managing director of the first New Brunswick Black cultural history centre founded in Saint John in 2010.

Ralph has been recognized for his qualities as a leader, adviser, negotiator, mentor, role model and motivator. He has received several awards including the human rights award in New Brunswick and the Order of New Brunswick. He was also a recipient of the Inspirational Leader Award in 2021. These are just to name a few.

Although Ralph has been a driving force and an agent of change, he is very humble about his accomplishments because he believes it’s not about “the me” but about “the we” and teamwork. Ralph is a true educator, and he believes change is following examples such as Martin Luther King and working together with courage and conviction. He says equality is our right.

Many Black people have contributed to the fabric of life in New Brunswick. As we celebrate this important month, take the time to discover someone in your community who is of African descent.

Many thanks, Ralph Thomas.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the documents pursuant to the Emergencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 22 (4th suppl.), s. 58.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, pursuant to section 58 of the Emergencies Act, the Senate confirm the declaration of a public order emergency proclaimed on February 14, 2022.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Translation]

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on December 7, 2021)

November’s flooding had a devastating impact on many communities in British Columbia, and our government is committed to being a strong federal partner in the response and into recovery. In the immediate aftermath of the event, the Government of Canada announced that we would match all individual and corporate donations to the Canadian Red Cross for the British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal. Close to $30 million has been raised during the matching period, which ended on December 26. With the province also matching donations, this has meant that almost $90 million will be provided to support British Columbians as part of this appeal.

As of Jan. 17, 2022, the Red Cross has distributed more than $17 million in evacuation-related emergency financial assistance to more than 7,200 eligible households.

The Government of Canada recognizes and commends the efforts of other charitable organizations on the ground. The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with community leadership and all levels of government to support emergency response and recovery efforts to these unprecedented and devastating events.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Tony Loffreda on December 14, 2021)

The CRA will be undertaking post-payment verification activities for emergency, recovery and lockdown benefits recipients starting in 2022. These compliance efforts are planned for the next few years. Note that the CRA introduced additional controls over the lifespan of these benefit programs. For instance, in October 2020, the CRA implemented more upfront verification measures, and in May 2021, the CRA expanded these verification measures and focused on applications made by individuals who do not meet the income eligibility requirements.

The CRA began Phase 1 of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Post-Payment Audit Program in summer 2020 with approximately 700 files selected for audit. Phase 2 was launched in November 2021 and involves approximately 2,500 files. Note the CRA designed the CEWS to include upfront verification. Prior to payment, the CRA validates information in an application against existing data holdings, and may also follow up by phone to verify certain elements of claims upon prepayment review. Additionally, high-risk accounts are referred to officers for manual validations (which may include employer contact) to verify information included in the application.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Tony Loffreda on December 14, 2021)

•Service Canada takes the integrity of its programs very seriously.

•Ensuring that Canadians receive the benefits to which they are entitled is a priority for the government.

•To ensure the effective stewardship of our programs, the department investigates suspected cases of fraud, abuse and error.

•In the context of these investigations, individuals who abuse the programs are subject to monetary penalties and/or prosecution.

•Service Canada has well-established links with key partners such as law enforcement, financial institutions and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help address fraudulent activity in its programs.

•The department uses computer tracking, data analytics and linked data systems to detect fraudulent activity.

•Given that many cases remain under investigation, we cannot provide additional information on fraudulent individual and business claims.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc on December 16, 2021)

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion’s mandate letter commits to “Move forward with the design, introduction and implementation of a Canada Disability Benefit Act and Canada Disability Benefit for low-income working age persons with disabilities.”

While the proposed act has not yet been tabled, the government continues to engage the disability community on aspects of the benefit’s design to ensure that, upon the Bill’s passage by Parliament, the development of regulations can start without delay. Starting last summer and continuing into 2022, the government is holding a series of roundtables with Canadians with disabilities and other stakeholders and researchers. The feedback from these roundtables along with the online survey conducted between May and September 2021 and the community-led consultations will support the development of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, including the proposed benefit.

Our government is also engaging with P/T partners on the benefit to ensure it augments rather than replaces existing P/T benefits and supports. In support of this work, on July 21, 2021, Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services tasked officials with developing a work plan on how jurisdictions can work together to support the development of this important benefit for Canadians with disabilities.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Is this a notice of motion that we are adopting now or we are adopting tomorrow? I was doing something here; obviously, I should have been paying closer attention. I didn’t hear the motion. Could you please repeat what you said at the start, senator?

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (Guaranteed Income Supplement).

(Bill read first time.)

Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples;

That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished by the committee since the beginning of the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2023, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader.

Leader, on February 10 I asked you a couple of questions. I suggested you needed to start answering the questions that we asked. At 7:40 that night, one of my granddaughters messaged me through WhatsApp.

Leader, I’m going to read this to you, and then I will ask my question. My granddaughter said:

Grandpa, I think your questions are too complex in the Senate. No one seems be able to give you an answer, let alone say anything close to what you asked.

She went on to say:

You sound tired. I would be too if I had to sit and listen to all that BS. Love you.

I love her as well.

Leader, I’m going to ask you a question. I want you to imagine you are answering Emily and give her an answer that she will understand.

Last Thursday night, a violent attack took place at the Coastal GasLink worksite near Houston, British Columbia. About 20 people, some armed with axes, attacked security guards, smashed vehicles and heavy machinery, set fires on roadways, injured an RCMP officer and traumatized workers. A statement from the B.C. RCMP said, “This is a very troubling escalation in violent criminal activity that could have resulted in serious injury or death.” And it continues:

This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion dollar path of destruction.

Leader, why does the Trudeau government believe the trucker convoy rises to the level of national emergency when this incredibly vicious and dangerous attack in B.C. hardly drew even a mention from the Prime Minister? Does the Prime Minister think it’s okay to demonize other groups of Canadians simply because he doesn’t agree with them?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senator, thank you for the question. I do hope your lovely granddaughter is listening.

The government condemns the violence that took place at the Coastal GasLink pipeline that took place in British Columbia. The government, as it has said on many occasions, respects everybody’s right to peacefully protest. That does not include violence and intimidation such as you very well outlined.

I am advised that the RCMP is pursuing an investigation. I am sure we all look forward to that being brought to a conclusion.

Senator Plett: Hardly a mention from the Prime Minister, though.

Leader, this is a sad moment for our country. We have been led to this point by a divisive and vindictive Prime Minister who preferred to bring forward an unprecedented power grab rather than have dialogue with fellow Canadians.

Leader, the premiers of both my province of Manitoba and your province of Quebec do not want the Emergencies Act enacted in their jurisdictions. Five other provinces say the same, including one that is suing the government.

When the Prime Minister invoked the Emergencies Act, he claimed it would be geographically targeted. In the other place on Saturday, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice confirmed that the legislation applies to all of Canada.

Leader, what guidelines did the Trudeau government use before making the call to declare an historic national emergency throughout our entire country?

Senator Gold: With all due respect, esteemed colleague, that is not what I said. I said that Canadians should be very concerned. I am concerned by the level of confidence that Canadians have in our institutions. It is important that we all do our part to promote awareness of what we do and build the confidence we deserve.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): You asked two questions.

With respect to your first question, everyone in this chamber must think about the public’s opinion of our institutions. Canadians must have confidence in the work we do in the Senate and in our democratic institutions. That is important. We have a role to play as parliamentarians to ensure the public is more aware of the work we do so that we can help build confidence in our work and our institutions.

With respect to your second question, the answer is no. I am proud to be a senator and to represent the government. We are about to start a historic and unprecedented debate on the application of an act that helps bolster our democracy. Our job will be to ensure that the powers of the government, in this exceptional situation, are consistent with our democracy. I will have much more to say tomorrow when I speak to this issue.

Hon. Paula Simons: Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative.

Senator Gold, in 2010 there were 700 orphan wells in my province of Alberta. By 2020, there were 8,600 orphan wells. Late last month, the Parliamentary Budget Officer tabled a report that examined the probable cost of cleaning up those wells and whether the federal government had allotted enough to their fund for well cleanup.

The PBO found that $556 million in federal funds had been allocated thus far to Alberta and that those funds had gone primarily to 10 large oil and gas companies, all of which were quite solvent and able to fund their own cleanups. In fact, almost one fifth of the total monies — more than $102 million — went to just one oil giant, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, or CNRL, a company that posted third-quarter net profits in November of $2.2 billion.

I asked the Parliamentary Budget Officer whether the subsidy had led to the accelerated cleanup of any inactive wells. He said they were unable to determine if CNRL or any of the other companies had actually cleaned up any more inactive wells than they might have done anyway.

So then I asked whether any of that $556 million had gone to cleaning up actually orphaned wells. I was informed by the Parliamentary Budget Office that not one single orphan well in Alberta — not one — had been cleaned up with this grant money of more than half a billion dollars.

So now I would like to ask, what exactly did we get for the $102.5 million we gave to CNRL, or the $18 million we gave to Cenovus, or the $16 million we gave to Husky or the $12 million we gave to Imperial Oil under the federal cleanup plan?

Two, what are we actually going to do to clean up the wells that are actually orphaned?

Senator Simons: I’m just curious, if the fund was never designed to clean up orphan wells, why was it presented to Canadians as though that were its raison d’être?